A PARADE and celebrations in Rosebery Park marked the 75th anniversary of the borough of Epsom and Ewell on Saturday (June 23).

Led by the Royal Artillery Band, the procession marched through Epsom Town Centre into the park where crowds waited to watch the 'beating of the retreat' and the presentation of Diamond Jubilee medals to members of the uniformed forces.

Around 135 troops from the Independent Geographic Royal Engineers (Volunteer) Squadron from Ewell, the Army Cadet Force, the Air Cadets and local scout groups attended the event and paraded proudly along Epsom High Street.

Karolis Jan Kaus Kas, a marching air cadet from Epsom and Ewell, said events such as this helped to raise awareness of the armed forces within the community.

He said: "It gives nice attention to the whole squadron and the whole Territorial Army. More people need to see how much fun it is in the cadets and how it can help the local community."

Despite a worrying forecast, many turned out to watch the parade.

Neil Dallen, 62, leader of the 7th Epsom Methodist Scouts, said: "The weather has been with us for a change and there's lots of people here. It's great to see the community out and together. It's a great success."

As well as a hog roast, morris dancers entertained the crowds with the traditional Ebisham stick dance.

Dancer Ted Smith, from the Ewell St Mary's Morris men, said the stick dance was a representation of the borough's past.

He said: "We've been dancing in and around Epsom and Ewell for around 30 odd years and today we've been invited as the local morris team to do some special dances.

"These events bind the community together. Anything like this acts as a focus or a forum for the local community."

The Royal Artillery band played throughout the day and also received a salute from the Epsom and Ewell mayor, Councillor Christine Long, before standing down and enjoying the festivities.

Captain Neil Archer, 2nd in Command of the 135 Independent Geographic Squadron, Royal Engineers Volunteers, said the event had a similar purposes to the upcoming Armed Forces Day, which takes place this Saturday (June 30).

He said: "The best bit about it is the whole reason behind Armed Forces Day really, which is to heighten the awareness and links between the armed forces and civilian community."

Cllr Long said: "I'd like to think that events like this bring the community together.

"It shows the community working together with the armed forces which is very important to the country at the moment. I take my hat off to them."

She said local school children had also got involved by creating the bunting which lined the path for the parade, which she said brought "the young, the old and the not so old" together.